Preferred Options 2025

8. A Well-Designed and Beautiful South Warwickshire

Design is an overarching concept which interacts directly or indirectly with all other aspects of the plan. It is about how a place functions and feels at all scales.

The creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities. Being clear about design expectations, and how these will be tested, is essential for achieving this.

This chapter will consider principles for strategic design policy, protecting and enhancing heritage assets, waterways, and policy mechanisms/vehicles to achieve the best design outcomes at all scales.

8.1 Strategic Design Principles

The National Model Design Code (Part 1, paragraph 5) defines a design code as "a set of simple, concise, illustrated design requirements that are visual and numerical wherever possible to provide specific, detailed parameters for the physical development of a site or area".

The SWLP will have a strategic design policy to set out strategic design principles, covering topics as set out in the Issues and Options document, as well as requiring compliance with the relevant design code(s) where they exist; and where they don't exist, the policy will still ensure that these matters are considered by the applicant.

What was said in the I&O

The Issues and Options asked the question whether the range of topics put forward were appropriate for a strategic design policy.

Topic outlines being covered by the policy were:

• Comprehensive development.
• Attractiveness.
• Sensitive to context.
• Distinctiveness.
• Connectedness.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Adapting to climate change.
• The mix and amount of development.

Of the total responses, most respondents agreed that the range of these topics were appropriate for a strategic design policy.

A comment by Historic England suggested the strategic design policy should also encompass reference to "local character and history, including the surrounding build environment and landscape setting".

Justification

A high standard of design will be required in all new developments, including alterations to or changes use an existing building. The NPPF is clear that 'development that is not well-designed should be refused, especially where it fails to reflect local design policies and government guidance on design'. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how a high-quality design has been achieved and how national and local design guidance has been considered.

The strategic design principles as outlined in the policy direction have been derived from the design evidence to date and are reflective of widely accepted principles in terms ensuring high quality of design. When this policy direction is refined into a draft policy, careful reference will be made to existing strategic design policies (SDC Core Strategy policy CS.9 and WDC Local Plan policy BE1), to ensure that the most relevant and beneficial elements / components of these policies are retained.

8.2 Design Codes

Design Codes are defined as a set of simple and concise design requirements which set principles for new development in an area. The aim of design coding is to improve the design and quality of new development within an area, ensuring it is reflective of local character and preferences.

What was said in the I&O

At the issues and options, we asked respondents their thoughts on a range of approaches for producing Design Guides and Design Codes. There were four options:

1. Option D2a: Develop a South Warwickshire Design Guide.
2. Option D2b: Develop design guides and/or design codes for specific places (e.g. existing settlements or groups of settlements, or an 'area' in the case of a new settlement) where the spatial strategy identifies significant change.
3. Option D2c: Develop design guides/codes for strategic development sites/locations.
4. Option D2d: None of these.

The most popular preferences for Design Codes and Design Guides were to develop specific codes for specific places (Option D2b) and/or for strategic development sites and locations (Option D2c).

The National Design Guide's Ten Characteristics of well-designed places:

1. Context- enhances the surroundings.
2. Identity- attractive and distinctive.
3. Built form- a coherent pattern of development.
4. Movement- accessible an easy to move around.
5. Nature- enhanced and optimised.
6. Public spaces- safe, social, and inclusive.
7. Uses- mixed and integrated.
8. Homes and buildings- functional, healthy, and sustainable.
9. Resources- efficient and resilient.
10. Lifespan- made to last.

Table 8: Summary of intended design codes

Justification

Design coding at a district and neighbourhood level is becoming a more integral, and required, element of the planning system.

As the NPPF explains, 'design guides and codes and masterplans can be used to help ensure that land is used efficiently while also creating beautiful and sustainable places. Producing Design Codes has benefits for local communities, developers, and the environment.

The approach to having design codes with a variety of geographical area focus will ensure the design of development can be optimised at the appropriate scales across South Warwickshire.

8.3 Protecting and Enhancing Heritage Assets/ the Historic Environment

South Warwickshire has many valuable heritage assets across its area and these all contribute to the sense of place that is valued by those who live, work and visit the area. It is important that these heritage assets are preserved and where possible enhanced so that residents, and visitors can continue to enjoy their inherent value.

What was said in the I&O

Within the Issues and Options consultation, it was acknowledged that Heritage is an important consideration in where development goes, as historical assets contribute to the character of the area, and this character needs to be maintained. Therefore, there is a strategic element to consider in Part1 of the plan. It was suggested that the detailed aspects of Heritage be saved for Part.2.

There was a clear consensus that there should be a strategic policy in Part.1 of the local plan.

Justification

National Policy recognises the importance of heritage assets and the historic environment, stating that they are an irreplaceable resource of outstanding universal value. South Warwickshire boasts many heritage assets which attest to the rich history of the area, from Shakespeare's Birthplace to Warwick Castle, and all contribute to making South Warwickshire a desirable place to live, work and visit. The heritage assets contribute to the character of the area and their essence should be preserved and enhanced. Strategic developments will need to consider their impact on heritage assets and as such a strategic policy is required. Additional detailed policies may follow in Part 2 of the Local Plan.

8.4 Waterways

Waterways such as canals and rivers are valuable assets that can be utilised in a number of ways. As well as being valuable cultural assets and green/blue infrastructure routes, they can help improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, help create a sense of place, and support economic vibrancy. Strategically when incorporated effectively into development proposals they can help provide multiple benefits and as such it is considered appropriate to consider them within part 1 of the plan.

What was said in the I&O

Waterways, such as Canals and Rivers, and their use were not addressed in the Issues and Options Consultation however they are a valuable asset to South Warwickshire and can have a big impact on wellbeing, ecology and tourism.

Justification

Waterways are not addressed directly within the NPPF however they relate to many topics that are, such as Active Travel, cultural heritage/tourism and habitats/biodiversity. Waterways can support the objectives and policies related to these topics and as such are a vital resource within South Warwickshire. The Warwickshire Waterways Strategy, is a valuable document that sets out a framework to promote the county's rivers and canals as valuable community assets that can be used and enjoyed by all. Further work looking into the best ways to make use of our existing waterways, as well as to protect and enhance them will be undertaken as the plan progresses in order to produce a comprehensive policy.